The ex vivo cultured limbal stem cells over a biocompatible scaffold are used in the management of limbal stem cell deficiency as an ideal replacement for human amniotic membrane (HAM). A novel source of collagen from fish scales (FSC) was used to fabricate the scaffold. In this study, we have evaluated the physicochemical, mechanical, and culture characteristics of FSC and compared with denuded HAM. The cultured corneal cells were characterized by real-time polymerase chain reaction for putative stem cell markers. The swelling ratio, collagenase assay, and microbial resistance of FSC gave better results when compared to those of HAM. The mechanical and physical strengths of FSC were good enough to handle when compared to HAM. Under microscopic observation, epithelial migration was noted at the end of 48 h from limbal explants plated on FSC and on HAM at the end of 72 h. By the end of the 15th day, 90 to 100% confluent growth was seen resembling the morphological features of limbal epithelium. In conclusion, FSCs from a novel renewable biological source were optically clear with sufficient strength, and gave encouraging results in culture studies; the same may be tried as potential candidate for corneal transplantation after in vivo studies.

The solid and liquid waste management of tanneries has become a serious problem in the leather industry. In this study, we have attempted and succeeded in eliminating these pollutants by a novel method that has not been done anywhere so far. Keratin hydrolysate (KH) from poultry feathers has been utilized along with chrome shavings (CS) for total elimination of the polluting solid and liquid wastes in a tannery. In this process, 100% fixation of the Cr from the chrome exhaust liquor and the dye from the dye exhaust liquor is achieved by the reactions of CS with KH. The infrared spectra of the different stages of CS confirm the fixation of Cr in the chrome shavings−keratin hydrolysate (CSKH) complex. In this work, apart from elimination of tannery pollutants, a leather-like flexible sheet is obtained that can be used in the footwear and leather goods industry. In the scanning electrom microscopy evaluation, the surface morphology of the product exhibits smoothness because of the incorporation of poly(vinyl alcohol) and ethylene glycol. The above findings will open new avenues for further research in solid and liquid waste management of tannery effluents.